Zip code 78550: Harlingen, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 78550?

78550 is assigned to Harlingen, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 78550 in?

78550 is in Cameron County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 78550?

About 53,335 people live in 78550, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 78550?

The median household income in 78550 is $49,007.

Q: What zip codes are near 78550?

The closest zip codes to 78550 are 78551, 78535, 78553, 78552, 78568.

Residential delivery areaCameron CountyCentral Time

Population

53,335

Median household income

$49K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$131K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$900/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

33.6

U.S. 38.9

Land area

94 sq mi

566 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 78550

78550 is a suburban zip code in Harlingen, Texas (Cameron County), covering 94 sq mi of land. About 53,335 people live here, or 566 per square mile. The median resident is 33.6 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $49,007 a year, 39% below the national median of $80,734. 24.4% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $131,100, or 2.7 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 51% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $900 a month.

22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 18 minutes each way, and 10% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in healthcare; office and administrative support; and construction and repair. 66% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 78550 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Uninsured rate24.8%
98th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%285th of 1,808 in TX
Poverty rate24.4%
91st
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%229th of 1,794 in TX
Healthcare workers13.4%
90th
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%193rd of 1,810 in TX
Residents under 1827.4%
88th
U.S. 22% · TX 25%481st of 1,818 in TX
Population53,335
84th
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,424119th of 1,818 in TX
Government workers19.7%
83rd
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%470th of 1,810 in TX
Housing vacancy12.2%
79th
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%884th of 1,794 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.459
69th
U.S. 0.483 · TX 0.478531st of 1,785 in TX
Self-employed workers10.8%
67th
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%889th of 1,810 in TX
Foreign-born residents14.5%
63rd
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%552nd of 1,818 in TX
Unemployment rate5.5%
61st
U.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%620th of 1,810 in TX
Residents 65 and older16.1%
47th
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%884th of 1,818 in TX
Veterans5.5%
45th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%1,062nd of 1,818 in TX
Rent-burdened renters49%
43rd
U.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%802nd of 1,692 in TX
Work from home10.3%
36th
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%734th of 1,810 in TX
Population density566/sq mi
35th
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi630th of 1,818 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher22%
26th
U.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%902nd of 1,811 in TX
Diversity index30.4
24th
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,443rd of 1,818 in TX
Tech workers1.4%
20th
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%878th of 1,810 in TX
Homeownership rate50.5%
18th
WeaknessU.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%1,561st of 1,792 in TX
Median age33.6
14th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.61,398th of 1,817 in TX
Median gross rent$900
13th
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,4031,191st of 1,511 in TX
Per capita income$25,915
10th
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,7521,441st of 1,813 in TX
Median household income$49,007
8th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · TX $78,4761,486th of 1,712 in TX
Median home value$131,100
7th
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,8001,326th of 1,679 in TX
Average commute18 min
6th
StrengthU.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min1,567th of 1,738 in TX
Broadband access81.7%
6th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,413th of 1,792 in TX
Median earnings per worker$33,607
6th
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · TX $47,5751,515th of 1,794 in TX

Measure	78550	Cameron	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Uninsured rateWeakness	24.8%	25.8%	17.1%	8.4%	98th	285th of 1,808
Poverty rateWeakness	24.4%	24.8%	13.8%	12.5%	91st	229th of 1,794
Healthcare workers	13.4%	12.3%	8.6%	9.7%	90th	193rd of 1,810
Residents under 18	27.4%	28.7%	25%	22%	88th	481st of 1,818
Population	53,335	426,120	30,188,424	334,922,499	84th	119th of 1,818
Government workers	19.7%	19.1%	14.1%	14.5%	83rd	470th of 1,810
Housing vacancy	12.2%	13.3%	9.4%	10.1%	79th	884th of 1,794
Income inequality (Gini)	0.459	0.471	0.478	0.483	69th	531st of 1,785
Self-employed workers	10.8%	11.4%	10.5%	10%	67th	889th of 1,810
Foreign-born residents	14.5%	23.2%	17.6%	14.1%	63rd	552nd of 1,818
Unemployment rate	5.5%	5.9%	5.3%	5.2%	61st	620th of 1,810
Residents 65 and older	16.1%	14.3%	13.4%	17.2%	47th	884th of 1,818
Veterans	5.5%	4.1%	6.2%	6.2%	45th	1,062nd of 1,818
Rent-burdened renters	49%	49.8%	51.7%	51.1%	43rd	802nd of 1,692
Work from home	10.3%	9.1%	14.4%	15.1%	36th	734th of 1,810
Population density	566/sq mi	478/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	35th	630th of 1,818
Bachelor's degree or higher	22%	22.1%	33.8%	35.7%	26th	902nd of 1,811
Diversity index	30.4	19.5	67.1	61.4	24th	1,443rd of 1,818
Tech workers	1.4%	1.3%	3.8%	3.8%	20th	878th of 1,810
Homeownership rateWeakness	50.5%	65.2%	62.6%	65.2%	18th	1,561st of 1,792
Median age	33.6	32.7	35.6	38.9	14th	1,398th of 1,817
Median gross rent	$900	$912	$1,403	$1,413	13th	1,191st of 1,511
Per capita incomeWeakness	$25,915	$24,089	$40,752	$44,673	10th	1,441st of 1,813
Median household incomeWeakness	$49,007	$52,601	$78,476	$80,734	8th	1,486th of 1,712
Median home value	$131,100	$136,500	$283,800	$332,700	7th	1,326th of 1,679
Average commuteStrength	18 min	21.3 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	6th	1,567th of 1,738
Broadband accessWeakness	81.7%	84.4%	91.4%	91%	6th	1,413th of 1,792
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$33,607	$33,153	$47,575	$49,666	6th	1,515th of 1,794

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

20%

5–17

18–24

16%

25–34

11%

35–44

11%

45–54

10%

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

33.6

Under 18

27.4%

65 and over

16.1%

Race and ethnicity

White13%
Black2%
Hispanic82%
Asian0.9%
Native American0.2%
Pacific Islander0.2%
Other0.3%
Multiracial0.7%

Diversity index

30.4

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

14.5%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

71.7%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

34%

Spanish

65%

Other Indo-European

0.4%

Asian / Pacific

0.8%

Other

0.3%

Households

Households: 19,733
Average household size: 2.7
Family households: 67.3%
Married couples: 39.9%
Living alone: 27.6%
Veterans (of adults): 5.5%
Male / female: 49% / 51%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

25%

$25–50k

26%

$50–75k

16%

$75–100k

12%

$100–150k

13%

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

78550

$49,007

Cameron Co.

$52,601

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$25,915

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

24.4%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

7.4%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.459

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

78550

$131,100

Cameron Co.

$136,500

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

78550

$900

Cameron Co.

$912

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

60%

2–4 units

15%

5–19 units

13%

20+ units

Mobile home

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 22,468
Owner-occupied: 50.5%
Vacant: 12.2%
Median year built: 1985
Median rooms: 4.7
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 49%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 24.8%
Home value to income: 2.7× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

74%

Carpooled

11%

Transit

0.3%

Walked

Bicycle

0.3%

Worked from home

10%

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

20%

10–19

46%

20–29

15%

30–44

12%

45–59

60+

Average commute

18 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

5.5%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

58.4%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Healthcare

13%

Office and admin

13%

Construction and repair

Sales

Education

Cleaning and personal care

Food service

Management

Transportation and moving

Production

Business and finance

Legal and social services

Police and fire

Engineering and science

Computer and math

Arts, media and sports

0.7%

Farming, fishing and forestry

0.2%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

19%

Education

12%

Retail

Restaurants and hotels

Construction

Admin, support and management

Finance, insurance and real estate

Other services

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Manufacturing

Public administration

Professional and technical services

Wholesale

Information

Arts and recreation

Agriculture and mining

0.7%

Median earnings per worker

$33,607

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

10.8%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

19.7%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

5.1%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	78550	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$59,478	$74,888
Service	$22,526	$26,804
Sales and office	$32,014	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$29,684	$49,199
Production and transportation	$31,094	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

23%

High school

27%

Some college

21%

Associate's

Bachelor's

14%

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 77.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 22%
Graduate or professional degree: 7.8%
Households with broadband: 81.7%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 61.1%
No internet access: 13.1%
Without health insurance: 24.8%
Limited-English households: 9.9%

Geography

City (USPS): Harlingen
State: Texas
County: Cameron County
Center point: 26.2557° N, 97.6635° W
Land area: 94 sq mi
Water area: 0.8 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Harlingen26% of zip
Combes2% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 78550

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
78551	Harlingen, TX · PO box	3.6 mi	—	—	—
78535	Combes, TX	4.2 mi	425	$39,000	$107,300
78553	Harlingen, TX · PO box	4.9 mi	—	—	—
78552	Harlingen, TX	6.9 mi	42,332	$69,811	$169,300
78568	Lozano, TX · PO box	8.8 mi	—	—	—
78569	Lyford, TX	9.9 mi	4,342	$58,950	$117,000
78593	Santa Rosa, TX	10 mi	5,455	$48,649	$85,100
78586	San Benito, TX	10 mi	50,964	$45,575	$87,200
78594	Sebastian, TX	11 mi	1,206	$23,307	$38,300
78583	Rio Hondo, TX	12 mi	5,236	$51,453	$161,900
78559	La Feria, TX	13 mi	12,169	$49,383	$103,800
78562	La Villa, TX	14 mi	3,211	$31,522	$102,400

Zip codes like 78550 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 78550

What city is zip code 78550?

78550 is assigned to Harlingen, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 78550 in?

78550 is in Cameron County, Texas.

What is the population of 78550?

About 53,335 people live in 78550, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 78550 in?

78550 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 78550?

The median household income in 78550 is $49,007.

What zip codes are near 78550?

The closest zip codes to 78550 are 78551, 78535, 78553, 78552, 78568.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 78550, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.